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Lakes

4.4 (7)
£26 to £40
European
Hempstead House, London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 9PP

About this restaurant

Lakes is the restaurant of Hempstead House, a small family-owned country house hotel between Sittingbourne and Faversham in the glorious Kent countryside. It dates back to 1850 but Lakes restaurant was added in 1998, quickly winning awards from the AA, the RAC and the English Tourist Board. Its crystal chandeliers, fine china and cut glass provide an elegant backdrop to chef Matthew Levett’s accomplished interpretation of classical English and French dishes: fresh fish and meat is locally-sourced and fruit and veg come down from Covent Garden each day. Start with roasted tomato filled with goat’s cheese and served on aubergine cumin purée, then dive into yoghurt-roasted rack of Kentish lamb, meltingly tender from its marinade and served with bean and lentil casserole and boulangère potatoes. Finish with passion fruit crème brûlée or get the taster plate of coconut tart, Amaretto mousse and pistachio ice-cream – it’s heaven.

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Additional information

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Lakes.

4.4

4.4
(7)
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4.0Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

7 Reviews
  1. RT234

    Kent1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 15, 2010

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service at Lakes in in Bapchild was absolutely fablous. The Food was even better, the wait was hardly noticeable as the Chef filled the initial gap (before the arrival of the starter) with an appetiser, that again was heavenly. Good quality food cooked to perfection in a very enjoyable ambiance.

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  2. Angela61 Gold

    London60 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 7, 2009

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    What a civilized place to lunch! £10 for two courses as it was Wed lunch is a steal. Lovely service, generous portions and good choice. Not much atmosphere but hey?

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  3. Naro

    London41 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on September 27, 2009

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Setting is lovely, with the extention being very tastefully done. Dinner room was a good size, even with 2 large parties in. Large portions, however found the food a little rich, quite heavy on the cream. Roast beef was very good, but the tiramisu was not a tiramisu.

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  4. Sam25

    Kent5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 14, 2009

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was a surprise dining location for my wife as it was for our anniversary. I had looked at the website and downloaded an example menu. Ffine decor, table decoration and place setting. Each table has ample clearance so that you do not feel claustrophobic. We both ordered from the A La Carte menu and I strongly recommend the medallions of Beef. Very tender and cooked to perfection. Two minor critisms: 1. the mains were served as the starters were cleared. Irritating gnats buzzing around.

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  5. AJFa

    London77 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 26, 2008

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    To be greeted by 'there's only two of us on tonight so...' was not an auspicious start to a 10th wedding anniversary celebration... however food was by and large good... if a little unimaginative. I m a pudding fan and would recommend the lemon and pistachio praline. We stayed over in the rooms at Hempstead House - waitress service at breakfast was on a par with fawlty towers...

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  6. MargaretF

    London10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 18, 2008

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Lakes restaurant was very quiet for a Friday night, in fact almost empty, but this could have been because there was also a wedding taking place. The food although a little plain for out tastes, was beautifully cooked and in unusually good portions. My stilton glazed steak was thicker then I have ever come across and cooked to perfection. The 'lift' music was however rather annoying.

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  7. Peter

    London113 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on February 20, 2008

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The Lakes offers silver service set lunch at a reasonable price. The elegant restaurant is only slightly marred by the upvc windows. Splendid food and wine - we will certainly keep this one on the list.

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Additional information

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Kent
  4. Sittingbourne
  5. Sittingbourne

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
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